from http://www.statcan.gc.ca/ Statistic Canada May 2012
Employment increased by 58,000 in April, mostly in full-time work. This was the second consecutive month of notable gains after four months of little change. With more people searching for work, the unemployment rate increased by 0.1 percentage points to 7.3%.
Compared with 12 months earlier, employment was up 1.2% or 214,000. All of the growth over the 12 months was in full-time work, up 217,000 (+1.6%), while part-time employment was unchanged. The total number of hours worked rose 1.5% over the same period.
MINNEAPOLIS, May 11, 2012 /PRNewswire/ – Unemployment rates fell slightly to 8.1 percent in April according to newly released figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Employers added 115,000 workers last month, which is down 39,000 from March and 45,000 shy of the minimum some economists had forecast. While the news is not as positive as many had hoped, employment in the healthcare industry is promising with 19,000 new jobs added in April and 26,000 added the previous month. Rasmussen College is working to meet the healthcare industry’s driving need by providing graduates with the key skill sets needed to manage this growth.
A report by the Collegiate Employment Research Institute (CERI) found hiring is up 11 percent in the healthcare industry regardless of degree level, and that trend is expected to continue. By 2020, more than 700,000 new nursing jobs are expected to be filled.
“It is encouraging to see that careers in healthcare continue to grow, especially as the need in this industry continues to rise,” said Rasmussen College Director of Career Services, Tamryn Hennessy. “At Rasmussen College, we make sure that ourSchool of Health Sciences curriculum includes hands-on experience in clinical settings and is focused around requirements identified by industry leaders so that our graduates enter the job market prepared to make an immediate contribution to their employers success.”
Despite stagnant unemployment numbers, the future looks brighter for this year’s graduates. According to a recent survey by the National Association of Colleges and Employers, businesses expect to hire 9.5 percent more college graduates this year than last. Compare that to just three years ago when the hiring of college grads was down 22 percent.
Rasmussen College is committed to preparing current students and upcoming college graduates with career services resources to help them develop professional career-seeking skills such as resume writing, portfolio development, and interviewing and networking skills. The College also hosts two nationwide Career and Networking Expos at each of its 22 campuses offered at no cost to students, alumni and the community. The next Career Expo is scheduled for August 16, 2012.
Montgomery, Ala., April 30, 2012 – Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama, LLC (HMMA) today announced plans to add a third shift of production at its Montgomery facility. HMMA will add 877 positions to support the addition of the third shift bringing the total number of jobs created at the plant to more than 3,000. HMMA’s 2012 production capacity will increase by approximately 20,000 units.
from http://www.hmmausa.com/
Dixon, CA, April 24, 2012 - Altec Industries, Inc., announces the opening of a new green-focused facility in Dixon, CA. A special ribbon-cutting ceremony took place today in the newly constructed 42,400 square-foot assembly plant. The brand new facility features state-of-the-art sustainable construction and exceeds Title 24 energy and lighting codes. In addition, Altec is using the facility to expand the development and production of its Green Fleet utility vehicle product line.
Plans call for Altec to create about 100 new jobs for workers upon opening of the facility. Additional jobs may eventually be added based on production growth and the expanded use of Green Fleet equipment in California and surrounding regions.
“Altec is committed to sustainable solutions,” said Lee Styslinger III, Altec Chairman and CEO. “That commitment to sustainability is reflected not only in the products we build, but also in the facilities where we build them. We are genuinely excited about expanding our capabilities and presence in California to better serve and support the growing needs of our customers on the West Coast. In addition, we are pleased to be bringing jobs and economic growth to the region. Altec is also committed to helping rebuild a strong manufacturing base in the U.S., and our new green-focused facility in California is a reflection of that commitment.”
Altec received significant guidance and support on the development of the new green-focused facility from two of its customers – Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E) and Southern California Edison. In addition, PG&E and Altec are partnering to develop innovative, technologically advanced Green Fleet utility vehicles which will be produced at the new Dixon, CA facility. The Green Fleet vehicles provide a safer work environment for utility crews, significantly reduce emissions, and lowers vehicle operating costs and while extending vehicle life.
GE’s Advanced Manufacturing and Software Technology Center (AMSTC) in Van Buren Township, Michigan, is adding 300 new high value IT and research jobs, the company announced today. GE’s total job commitment to Michigan now stands at 1,400 jobs at the center and 1,600 across the state.
GE Chairman and CEO Jeff Immelt said this morning in a Detroit Free Press column that the choice to expand in Michigan “was an easy one.” He said that GE “saw a community that valued work and understood the importance of advanced manufacturing to our future.” Immelt wrote that “in an economy that increasingly requires highly trained and highly skilled workers, we saw a state that was home to world-class universities and hard-working, dedicated professionals with deep knowledge in new technology. Ultimately, in Michigan we saw not only a state that needed jobs but also a partner that was resilient and ready for growth.”
GE’s Michigan push goes beyond jobs. The company will also grow by a quarter its summer internships and co-op programs for college students at AMSTC and several GE Aviation locations in Michigan. It’s also hiring about 110 students for summer assignments in engineering, IT, finance and supply chain operations.
GE has had a strong presence in Michigan. Some 3,000 employees and 4,000 retirees live in Van Buren Township, Muskegon, Kentwood, Livonia, Grand Rapids, St. Joseph, and Southfield. GE employment will reach about 3,800 in the next few years.
Immelt said in his column that Michigan was “making an undeniable comeback, and providing a recovery blueprint for other manufacturing communities.”
“Now is the time to make the “Michigan Miracle” the Michigan model that the rest of the country follows,” Immelt said.
COLUMBUS, IND. – Cummins Inc. (NYSE: CMI) today announced a significant expansion of its Seymour campus that includes investing $219 million in new construction and the addition of 290 jobs to support the Company’s global high horsepower engine business. Cummins Chairman and CEO Tom Linebarger was joined by Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels, U.S. Rep. Todd Young and Seymour Mayor Craig Luedeman at an event that was attended by the 525 employees of the Seymour Engine Plant. This is the third major announcement in Seymour in two years and in that time the company has added new engineering and production test cells, constructed a new shipping and receiving dock, enlarged the energy center and begun work on the QSK95 and the QSK120, the most powerful high-speed diesel engines in the world. As part of the expansion announced today, Cummins is adding new warehouses, more engineering and production test cells, a new office building that will house up to 500 people, a cylinder block line and parking for the new employees. Included is a new manufacturing facility for aftertreatment components for high horsepower engines. The new jobs are engineering and advanced manufacturing positions that will support the Company’s global high horsepower business. “We are very excited to be announcing this major expansion of our high horsepower business, which is possible because of our strong growth in global markets,” Linebarger said. “The high horsepower business is a growing part of Cummins and because of the demand for these products throughout the world we are able to add new high-skilled engineering and manufacturing jobs here in our home region.”
from Cummins. com 4/25/2012
CADIZ, KY, Apr 24, 2012 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) — Transcraft, a subsidiary of Wabash National Corporation and a leading producer of platform trailers, together with Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear, today announced the expansion of its Trigg County operations in Cadiz, Ky.
The company’s growth plan includes building a 12,000-sq.-ft. facility with the latest technology in painting equipment plus adding 80 new jobs through a total capital investment of approximately $3 million to accommodate rising demand for flatbed and drop deck trailers.
“Transcraft is excited to embark on the next step of dynamic growth in Cadiz. Even with a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility and a dedicated workforce ready to meet current demand, it is necessary to increase capacity by adding new equipment and expanding our team to capitalize on a bright future,” said Rick Klein, general manager, Transcraft Corporation.
To encourage the investment and job growth, the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority approved tax incentives up to $2 million through the Kentucky Business Investment program. Cadiz-Trigg County Economic Development Commission has also actively supported Transcraft’s growth through infrastructure investments and incentives.
“I couldn’t be more pleased that the Commonwealth is partnering with Transcraft to make this investment possible and bring new jobs to Cadiz,” Gov. Beshear said. “Transcraft is a long-standing and well-respected corporate citizen, and this expansion is a milestone on its long road of success here in Kentucky.”
“Transcraft is an integral part of the Wabash National family,” said Dick Giromini, president and CEO, Wabash National Corporation. “With leading brands and expertise in designing, producing and distributing platform trailers, both Transcraft and Benson have a loyal following. We appreciate the support from the Commonwealth of Kentucky, the leadership of Trigg County and the commitment from the fine folks in Cadiz as we expand to meet evolving customer needs.”
4/20/2012
Raleigh - Gov. Bev Perdue announced today that Ashley Furniture, a manufacturer and distributor of home furnishings, will locate a new manufacturing and distribution facility in Davie County.
Ashley Furniture expects to create 550 new jobs over the next five years and invest $80 million in land, buildings, machinery and equipment.
The announcement was made possible in part by a state Job Development Investment Grant and a One North Carolina Fund award.
Source: http://www.governor.state.nc.us/
(Monday, April 16, 2012) – Moe’s Southwest Grill, the fast-growing restaurant franchise best known for its flavorful southwest fare and distinct brand culture, has signed a deal that will bring an additional 25 restaurants to the Washington D.C. Metro area over the next six years.
Leading the growth will be three existing Moe’s franchise partners – Brad Chasteen, Steve Taylor and Frank Maresca – who will oversee the surge of Moe’s locations in Washington under the trio’s newly formed entity, Guac N’ Roll. Chasteen currently owns 19 Moe’s in Northeast Florida, Taylor owns 9 Moe’s throughout Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina. Including Maresca’s two restaurants owned in Northern Virginia, the group recently acquired 7 existing locations. Maresca will serve as the local operating partner for the company.
“The demographics of the Washington marketplace are a perfect match for the Moe’s brand – you have a mix of families and professionals,” said Chasteen, who was born and raised in Washington. “We’re really excited to take our experience from some of the top Moe’s markets like Jacksonville, FL and Columbia, SC and apply that here.”
The restaurants will open throughout Maryland, D.C. and Northern Virginia. The group is currently scouting locations and expects the first new Moe’s to open by the end of 2012. The announcement also means that 500 new jobs will be brought to the metro area.
Moe’s Southwest Grill has continued to outpace competitors by offering a fun, unmistakable culture, as well as fresh, made-to-order food with more than 20 flavorful ingredients. All meals, including signature items like the Homewrecker burrito, Close Talker salad and John Coctostan quesadilla, are served with free chips and salsa. Although Moe’s is best known for its burritos packed with fresh ingredients, the menu also features kids, vegetarian, and low-calorie options.
While consumers flock to Moe’s when it opens a new restaurant, the company is also attracting a record number of franchise inquiries from entrepreneurs who want to be associated with the “it” restaurant brand. The company has grown to more than 440 locations in just 10 years.
“Putting three of our most aggressive and smart franchise partners together in one market is really exciting,” said Moe’s President Paul Damico. “The fact that we have three best of class Moe’s operators behind these restaurants in D.C. is really going to make us stand out.”
The deal is part of Moe’s strategic growth plan to double its existing presence to a total of 800 locations nationwide by the end of 2015.
BELLEVUE, OHIO – Norfolk Southern this month will begin a $160 million project to expand its Bellevue rail yard in Northern Ohio, a project that will double the yard’s capacity in order to meet rising demand for freight rail transportation.
“Bellevue is already an important terminal for the classification and movement of freight, and this investment will expand and modernize Bellevue, contributing to the fluid movement of long-distance freight across our rail system,” said Mark Manion, Norfolk Southern’s chief operating officer. “This project will help us improve asset utilization and efficiency, enhance customer service, strengthen our entire 22-state system, and further confirm Ohio’s importance to freight rail transportation.”
Some 275 new railroad jobs will be added to the 700 positions currently based in Bellevue. NS employs about 3,600 people across Ohio and plans to hire another 60 in the state by the end of 2012 to address attrition and shipper needs.
from http://www.nscorp.com/